THE latest community news from Llanfair

WI Meeting

THE president welcomed members.

The group sang Jerusalem, accompanied by Sue on the piano.

For the outing to Llandudno Theatre on 1 March, the coach pick-up will be outside Harlech School at 9.15am.

The Newsletter was read. Te Cymraeg at Dyffryn Village Hall on Wednesday, 28 February.

Please pay Pat as money is due by 21 February.

A card has been sent to Barmouth WI for their 100th birthday. Sue, Sandra, Pauline, Christine and Carole will attend their celebration meeting at 7pm on 28 February.

Group coffee mornings will be held in support of the Saving Denman Appeal. 8 March has been provisionally chosen; more details after the Artro Group meeting on 22 February.

Forthcoming County events include an Easter Basket and Decorated Egg Competition, 16 March, at Dolgellau Rugby Club, and Scrabble at Felin Ganol on 26 March.

The committee felt that the NFWI-Wales Urban Tree Project was not suited to this institute as this is not an urban area.

Printed literature from MyWI was provided for individuals with a particular interest.

Email correspondence concerned the recruitment drive for new magistrates, with open days at courts, details from Jill Houliston.

There will be a WI show Anything Goes in Newtown in September; a flyer will be sent to all Institutes soon.

In response to an article in the Daily Mail, a letter was received from NFWI chair Lynne Stubbings explaining the NFWI position. Copies were provided to each table at the meeting.

Pauline welcomed Mary and Dennis Post to speak about ‘Planting by the Moon’. At a Full Moon or New Moon, the moon is nearer to the earth and its gravitational pull affects not only the tides but also the water table, drawing water up through the ground nearer to the seeds and plant roots.

A page in Moore’s Almanac shows these times, which occur twice a month.

Mary and Dennis also spoke about their time in Canada, where there was a national scandal when wrongly labelled bags of chemicals led to cattle dying over a huge area. After farming sheep and angora goats in the Isle of Man, the couple settled in Wales, concentrating on organic farming, using natural manure and lime to balance and improve the soil. They plant and harvest according to the solstices, rotating their crops in raised beds. After showing photos and samples of their produce, they answered many questions as the audience had found their farming life fascinating. They were warmly thanked by Sandra for such a wealth of useful information and its relevance for allotments and garden in this area.

Dennis and Mary judged the limerick competition then joined for afternoon tea.

Winner: Christine.

Raffle: Betty Grant

Next meeting: 9 March, ‘Down Memory Lane’ by Edwina Evans.

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